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6-year-old bitten by rabid bat outside Wisconsin home: Family
USA Today • • general
Key Points:
- A 6-year-old girl in Tigerton, Wisconsin, is undergoing rabies treatment after being bitten by a rabid bat while climbing a tree near her home on June 23.
- The bat tested positive for rabies, marking the first confirmed case in Shawano and Menominee Counties in 2026, according to local health officials.
- Health authorities emphasize the importance of avoiding contact with wild animals, educating children on rabies risks, and seeking immediate medical care after potential exposure.
- Rabies is a fatal viral disease mainly transmitted through saliva from infected mammals, but prompt vaccination after exposure is nearly 100% effective in preventing the disease.
- Officials recommend keeping pets vaccinated, limiting their contact with wildlife, and contacting animal control for assistance with wild or sick animals to reduce rabies risk.
